The New Rochelle Planning Board is composed of seven members appointed by the Mayor. In accordance with the requirements of the Code of the City of New Rochelle, the Board is charged with reviewing and approving site development plans and subdivisions for all new projects, changes in land use and used permitted subject to additional standards and regulations before building permits are issued.

The Planning Board evaluates these land use actions for compliance with the laws of the City; for consistency with the New Rochelle Comprehensive Plan, Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and other policy documents; and for appropriateness within a community context. In addition, the Board will provide recommendations and reports to the City Council on various planning and land development matters

Members of Planning Board

Douglas Hocking (67 Rugby Road), Chairman, is a registered Republican who has not made any local political donations over the past 5 years.

Aurora Hernandez (114 Webster Avenue) is a registered Democrat who has not made any local political donations over the past 5 years.

Mitchell Schwartz (179 Baraud Road) is a registered Democrat who has contributed $250 to Marianne Sussman from an address in San Antonio, TX, over the past 5 years.

Chester Freeman (60 French Ridge) is a registered Democrat who has contributed $25 to James Stowe, $25 to Jared Rice and $90 to the Democratic City Committee of New Rochelle over the past 5 years.

Dr. Walter Lipow (175 Victory Boulevard) is a registered Democrat who has not made any local political donations over the past 5 years.

Mary Smith (25 Davenport Avenue) is a registered Democrat who has contributed $100 to James Stowe and $870 to the Democratic City Committee of New Rochelle over the past 5 years.

Michael Deane (91 Vaughn Avenue) is a registered Democrat who has contributed $300 to Noam Bramson over the past 5 years.

NOTE: For most of the past 5 years the Chairman of the Planning Board has been Susan Kettner, a registered Democrat who submitted to a highly unusual pledge, crafted by Noam Bramson, in order to secure the Democratic nomination for New Rochelle City Court Judge in 2010. Susan Kettner won the election and was sworn in as judge on January 1, 2011.

We request that Chairman Klugman pose two straightforward questions to the candidates at the beginning of our meeting on May 24th and that each of the candidates be given an opportunity to reply:

If you do not receive the Committee’s designation, will you pledge to refrain from mounting a Democratic primary?

If you do not receive the Committee’s designation, will you also pledge to decline the nomination of any other political party in the November general election?

District leaders deserve to know the candidates’ positions on these subjects before selecting a designee.

It is not our place or intent to curtail anyone’s rights under election law, nor to dictate a position to the Democratic Committee – every District Leader and every candidate is entitled to make his or her own judgment. As elected officials, however, we feel a special responsibility to make our own views and intentions clear.

Sincerely,

Timothy Idoni, County Clerk
Noam Bramson, Mayor
James Stowe, Council Member
Barry Fertel, Council Member
Marianne Sussman, Council Member

There is 1 Comment

There are numerous boards, committees & commissions in New Rochelle all with members appointed by the mayor. As far I can tell, they serve as political payback so the mayor’s friends can earn some money and the mayor can continue to count on their support. Most seemingly could be done away with and serve nothing yet cost thousands if not millions to run every year.

For example, the historical review board is a waste of time & costs money. The guy who used to run/chair it (and maybe still does) also had an architecturual firm and if you wanted to be 100% your going to get approved, you needed to use his firm. Smart people just don't bother and know that's just how New Rochelle works.